Friday, 28 December 2012

Emily Karanikolopoulos' striking arrangement for Christmas uses the traditional combination of red, green and white materials. Green pine needles are also used in Japan to give an auspicious touch to New Year celebrations.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. This will include summer arrangements featuring water.

Rosemary Parry-Brock will also be discussing the Ikebana Melbourne blog. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the blog, please take advantage of the opportunity of bringing these to the meeting.

Fund Raising Day on February Sunday 17th at Como Gardens, The Basin. Keep tuned for more information about this great event.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Our last event for 2012, the visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne, was voted a great success by the 35 members who joined in. The new section of the garden showcases worldclass design, with abundant ideas for small gardens and plantings to achieve colour harmony. The tour guides are well-informed and very helpful. Keep it in mind for visitors from interstate or overseas, as the food is also good.

The program for 2013 has now been finalised and will be circulated soon. It promises a wide variety of meetings and definitely looks exciting.

Sunday, 28 October 2012

On Tuesday 13th November we will visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, (Melways 133 K10) Cnr Ballarto Rd and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne.

Meet at the Visitor Centre at 10.30 a.m. for a guided tour starting at 11 a.m. Entry to the gardens is now free but the tour costs $5.50. A courtesy bus is available if needed. Contact Sally Wilkinson for further details 9882 4021 sally@bionutrients.com.au

The new 6 hectare extension was officially opened only a few weeks ago. The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne are dedicated to Australian flora and the new area showcases many exciting designs, including a dry garden. As well, there will be the opportunity to enjoy the delights of Spring throughout the remainder of the gardens. Walking shoes would be worth considering.

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

On Sunday 23 September at the National Rhododendron Gardens, Georgian Road, Olinda, Hanami Day will feature a range of traditional Japanese arts including calligraphy, origami, tea ceremony, drumming and ikebana.

There will be ikebana demonstrations at 11.30, 12.30, 1.30 and 2.30.

The gardens are vibrant with spring colour and the cherry blossom promises to be in full bloom. A great day for a picnic in the hills.

Thursday, 6 September 2012

At 10.30 am, next Tuesday, 11th September, at Toorak Uniting Church, 603 Toorak Road, Gail Stiffe from the Papermakers of Victoria wil talk on her craft and show us some of her work. (Hands on Paper http://www.gailstiffe.info)

The theme will be using paper in arrangements. We need to have as many arrangements as possible using paper in some way. (or a Spring arrangement). Carlyne Patterson has agreed to lead off with an ikebana demonstration.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to buy rare plants and to enjoy the floral art competition. Then tour the adjacent four-acre garden.

Joy Manie (Sogetsu school) will be giving an ikebana demonstration at 1.30 on Saturday (using Spring material from her own extensive garden in the Dandenongs). Theresa Feile (also Sogetsu) will follow at 1.30 on Sunday.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

The Chapter AGM was enlivened by the demonstration by Yukako Braun, of the ikenobo school, assisted by Qui Nguyen.

Yukako had prepared a series of elegant, small arrangements and showed us some helpful techniques for working on this scale. A miniature work should be no larger than 20cm x 15cm x 15 xcm, and use only a few different materials, emphasising the natural beauty and simple elegance of each.

The resulting array of work, including that of several new members, was exciting. Yukako lent her experienced eye in suggesting a few amendments at the end. This was definitely an occasion when 'less is more' came into its own.

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

The Annual General Meeting of Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 14th August 2012 at the Toorak Uniting Church Hall, 603 Toorak Road, Toorak.

The AGM will be followed by a demonstration of miniature arrangements by Yukako Braun (Ikenobo school). When working as a florist in Japan, Yukako said that these small works were very popular gifts for hospital patients. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at creating an exquisite display from a few petals to one or two flowers.

See (PAGES) Ikebana Melbourne Photographs for more photos of beautiful Miniatures.